This is a guest post by teenage internet entrepreneur Mark McDonald. He blogs at MarkMcDonaldOnline.com.

If you sometimes struggle to stay motivated as an internet marketer then this will be the most important blog post you’ll ever read.

Let’s begin with the FIVE big secrets to productivity and online success.

Secret #1: Your Workspace – Your Focus

One of the biggest keys to high productivity is that you must create a workspace that inspires and motivates you to get work done and skyrocket your business to the next level of profitability.

If you’re in a basement surrounded by pizza boxes, chocolate bar wrappers and cobwebs then don’t start complaining when you never have the energy to devote to your business.

Personally, I like to have a clear desk with nothing but my laptop and any paperwork that is related to the project I’m currently working on.

If you cram it full of junk then that’s what you’re going to produce. This also applies to your computers desktop as well, my advice is that you keep it ordered and well organised.

You know how I told you that it had to be clear. Oh, I lied. There is one more thing you should put on it.

Secret #2: A Timer – The Death of Procrastination

I honestly believe that I have undiagnosed ADD, it’s virtually impossible for me to focus on one specific task without having five other ideas that will revolutionize my business.

Add the distraction that is the internet and suddenly I’m like a kid in a candy store. If that sounds like you then listen up.

Most entrepreneurs are really competitive and you can use this to your advantage. Set a timer to get a task done and race against it to get it done.

It’s really easy; you simply divide your day into 15 minute intervals. If you use bigger time allotments you have more time to slack off.

Now you need to be reasonable about what you think you can accomplish in 15 minutes. Don’t say write chapter of a book, instead writing a single page might be more reasonable.

Break those massive tasks down to fifteen minute rushes against the timer and you simply don’t have time to procrastinate anymore.

Not only that you’ll have more fun because you’ll accomplish and bunch more then ever before. Gee, not bad for a cheap $6 egg timer is it?

Secret #3: Accountability Buddy

Alright I admit that this sounds a little lame – but it works!

If you find that no matter how hard you try you can’t get those projects out on time and work slower then you possibly can then you really need to find someone who will hold you accountable.

Working online can be a lonely business if you don’t network. Find someone that is also up to the same level of internet marketing skill and call each other for 5 minutes every night.

Talk about what you plan to accomplish the next day and what you accomplished today. If someone doesn’t finish all their daily tasks you need to hold them accountable.

Trust me – when you have to call an angry accountability buddy every night then you’ll want to start getting things done.

Secret #4: Take Time Off to Recharge

It’s easy to get into the trap of working on our internet business every second we can dedicate to it.

But that’s not healthy or particularly smart. You see, we get our best ideas when we are around other people and enjoying life.

If you are locked up in your home office you’ll end up depressed, moody and a social wreck. That’s not where you want to be.

Make sure you work out an hour a day, make sure that you hang out with your friends and family & for goodness sakes make sure if you’re a parent you see your kids.

Once you start making plenty of money you’ll realize that it truly isn’t everything and it’s not worth sacrificing everything for.

Secret #5: Give Back

I’m talking about giving back to charities and people in need here.

Alright. I get what you’re thinking. How does this relate to productivity and getting things done? The answer is surprising.

I believe that you need something that can always keep you inspired no matter what hurdles and challenges the business world throws at you.

If your motivation is just to make money then I think you’ll struggle. I certainly did.

You need a reason that’s bigger then yourself. That way when you hit a point where you are making plenty of cash for yourself you’ll have a reason to keep going as well.

If you know that every hour of your work you are not only helping yourself you’re helping people in a third world country get access to clean water you’ll feel much more fulfilled and happy about what you do.

So find some cause to support right now.

Alright there you have it, five quick and easy transformations you can make to yourself and your business to increase productivity and profits.

Now go and use them!

Mark McDonald started his first internet business at the age of 13. Since then he’s built six other companies selling everything from copywriting services to software. When he’s not building new businesses he’s blogging. Visit to get FREE access to his rare video course: 17 shocking secrets to breakthrough to six figures online right now to make money online.